There plenty of room to move at Rumba Night Club

The club that once housed traveling comedians is now one of the best places in town to salsa.

When Laugh Out Loud Beaumont moved to Crockett Street, the renovated space on College Street did not lie dormant. The beautiful comedy club has been transformed into our newest Latin dance club.

At 11:30 p.m. on a Saturday, I enjoyed the novelty — around here — of waiting in line outside the club to gain entrance. The line moved quickly. Inside, many of the details that made LOL stand out were still intact, including a backlit bar spanning almost an entire wall.

Transforming the stage into the DJ booth was an inspired decision, giving the DJ a view of the entirety of the dance floor and making it easy to read the crowd. Two tall cages, unused during my stay, were added to the stage.

Other major changes to the venue included less seating and more light fixtures above the dance floor. Basically, you need to abandon that seat and hit the dance floor. People who choose not to dance spend most of their night watching the dancers — such is the caliber of dance moves displayed.

The decor of dark reds and crystal accents enhanced the night’s theme, celebrating Valentine’s Day. Despite the couple-favoring holiday, friends danced alongside couples, and both Spanish and English conversations could be heard throughout the club.

In fact, the only people out of place at Rumba are those in jeans. This bar heavily favors tight dresses, perfectly coiffed hair, heels and button-ups.

Despite an obvious lack of skill, I accepted a request to dance and appreciated the illusion created by lighting that secluded dancers from the eyes of the room.

When my partner finally realized his task was hopeless, I made a mental note to show up to Rumba the next time Saturday salsa lessons are offered at 9 p.m.